Mozzarella Appetizer Recipe

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Finding burrata can sometimes be a challenge, but our Mozzarella Appetizer Recipe provides a deliciously creamy alternative that's more accessible and just as satisfying.

While burrata boasts a soft, gooey center, this recipe uses mozzarella to achieve a similar indulgent experience with accessible ingredients.

By pairing creamy mozzarella with juicy cherry tomatoes, fresh herbs, and a rich balsamic glaze, you can enjoy a touch of elegance without the hunt for specialty cheese!

Ball of mozzarella in the middle of roasted cherry tomatoes.

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This super simple and incredibly delicious Mozzarella Appetizer Recipe is a fantastic way to celebrate the end of summer! Combining creamy mozzarella with fresh herbs and ripe cherry tomatoes, this recipe offers a similar indulgence to burrata, delivering a sweet, rich, and flavorful dish that's sure to impress.

For more recipe ideas featuring mozzarella and fresh herbs, try our Mozzarella Basil Chicken or this Bruschetta Pasta Salad.

What's the difference between mozzarella and burrata?

Mozzarella is a semi-soft cheese with a creamy texture, while burrata is a richer cheese with a creamy center encased in a mozzarella shell.

With creamy mozzarella at its center, surrounded by a vibrant mix of cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze, this burrata-style appetizer is both visually stunning and delicious. In fact, it reminded me a little of this Grilled Balsamic Bruschetta Chicken I love to make in the summer! Paired with slices of crusty, golden-brown bread, the tomato mixture offers a perfect balance of textures and flavors that's sure to delight your taste buds.

Jump to:

What's the difference between mozzarella and burrata?
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients
Substitutions & Variations
How to Make This Burrata-Inspired Mozzarella Appetizer
Helpful Tips
Recipe FAQs
Storage & Freezing Instructions
More Fresh Appetizer Recipes You'll Love
Did you try this recipe?
Mozzarella Appetizer Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Fresh ingredients - Using fresh, quality ingredients makes for a super refreshing and bright dish, especially when vegetables are in season and at their most flavorful!
Accessible and Affordable - Using mozzarella instead of burrata makes this dish both easier to find and more budget-friendly without compromising on taste.
Quick and easy - If you're looking for a recipe that looks a little more sophisticated but is still super simple to make, this one is just the right choice!
Serves a crowd - This recipe works great for serving large crowds at picnics or get-togethers, as you can make multiple platters at once and easily add more ingredients if needed! If you're looking to serve a crowd in a pinch, try these super simple Caprese Skewers!

Ingredients

Gather the ingredients below to make this burrata-inspired appetizer recipe!

Multicolored cherry tomatoes are fresh, juicy, and a great way to brighten up your appetizer
Fresh herbs used in this recipe are garlic, oregano, and basil, and each one is important for achieving those signature Italian flavors! Using fresh herbs elevates this dish to new levels and makes it super rich and flavorful.
Mozzarella cheese is creamy and rich, and serves as the centerpiece of this appetizer, offering a similar indulgence to burrata with its luscious texture.
Balsamic glaze is drizzled over the roasted tomatoes and adds a great flavor to the dish.
Sliced appetizer bread such as crostini or sourdough are great for dipping, especially when they're brushed in olive oil and toasted!

See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

Substitutions & Variations

To add more flavor to your sliced bread, you can brush both sides of the bread with olive oil, butter, or garlic butter and toast the slices in the oven until they are golden brown.
Another popular addition to this recipe is using sliced peaches as well as tomatoes. The peaches add a nice hint of tart and sweet flavor. If you are adding peaches, just make sure that they are firm and ripe so that they can be sliced.
Some options for sliced appetizer bread include crostini, sourdough, and a French baguette. Any crusty bread will do!
Using burrata in place of mozzarella will add a slightly richer and creamier texture to the appetizer, offering a different taste experience while still complementing the other flavors.

How to Make This Burrata-Inspired Mozzarella Appetizer

Once you've gathered all your ingredients, preheat your oven to 350ºF and follow the steps below for an easy and indulgent burrata-style appetizer.

Pouring olive oil into a bowl of tomatoes and fresh herbs.

Step 1: In a medium mixing bowl, combine tomatoes. olive oil, garlic, sea salt, and oregano.

Halved cherry tomatoes in a pan mixed with fresh basil.

Step 2: Transfer mixture to a small baking dish and bake for 25 minutes.

Ball of mozzarella covered with balsamic drizzle surrounded by halved cherry tomatoes.

Step 3: Place the mozzarella in the center of a serving platter, arrange the roasted tomatoes around it, sprinkle with basil, drizzle with balsamic glaze, and serve with sliced baguette.

Bowl of cherry tomatoes surrounding a ball of balsamic-drizzled mozzarella cheese.

Helpful Tips

It's important to use fresh, quality ingredients in this recipe to guarantee the best flavor!
Using a hard, crusty bread instead of a soft, pre-packaged bread is important for this appetizer. You'll want the bread to be sturdy enough to dip into the mozzarella!
Get creative with your serving platter and customize it to your liking! Whether you use a rectangular or circular serving dish can determine how you organize your platter, so have fun with trying different arrangements until you find one you like.

Ball of mozzarella cheese surrounded by fresh red and yellow cherry tomatoes.

Recipe FAQs

Can I use burrata instead of mozzarella for this appetizer?

Yes, you can use burrata in place of mozzarella. Burrata will add an extra layer of creaminess and a rich, gooey center to the appetizer, enhancing the overall flavor and texture.

What can I use if I don't have balsamic glaze?

If you don't have balsamic glaze, you can use balsamic vinegar or a balsamic reduction. Just drizzle it lightly over the tomatoes, or simmer balsamic vinegar on the stove until it thickens slightly.

What type of bread is best for serving with this mozzarella appetizer recipe?

Crusty breads such as crostini, sourdough, or a French baguette work well. They provide a nice contrast to the creamy mozzarella and can be easily toasted for added crunch.

Can I make this appetizer ahead of time?

You can prepare the roasted tomatoes and slice the bread in advance. However, assemble the platter with mozzarella, tomatoes, basil, and balsamic glaze just before serving to ensure everything remains fresh and flavorful.

Hand holding a baguette slice covered with a tomato mixture.

Storage & Freezing Instructions

Storage Instructions

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Freezing Instructions

It is not recommended to freeze this recipe, as it is best served fresh or within two days of making.

More Fresh Appetizer Recipes You'll Love

Looking for other fresh and tasty appetizer recipes? Try these:

Did you try this recipe?

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